With over 25 years of living / working in France, I'm also an experienced tutor and professor. Let's engage in motivating conversations and lessons to help you achieve fluency. Le francais est fun!

Find out more about Claudia

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak French fluently because the German company I worked for sent me as an IT project leader to France. I stayed in Paris and worked and lived in France for about 25 years before coming to NC.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Coco Chanel was a Parisian fashion designer for 60 years.
  
  She created the Chanel suit, quilted purse, costume jewelry, and the "little black dress". Her designs were simple and comfortable and revolutionized fashion.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  French food culture revolves around socializing, family, and friends. It is a way for French people to come together and spend quality time with their loved ones, savoring and enjoying food.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  French is Europe's second most spoken language, with many native and second-language speakers. Surprisingly, one-third of all Francophones reside in Africa. French is currently the fifth most spoken language in the world. However, due to the rapid development and population growth in Francophone African countries, French is expected to climb up and be among the top three most widely spoken languages by the year 2050.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Learning a new language, especially grammar, can be challenging, but a dedicated German or French teacher can create an interactive and personalized learning environment. Find a tutor who tailors lessons to your needs and makes learning enjoyable. Speaking the language, engaging in exercises, and achievable goals help to stay motivated. Activities like reading, listening to music, watching videos, and playing games aid in language learning.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  When I was a young girl, about 6 or 7 years old, my family and I visited the Italian part of Switzerland. We would go to a small shop every morning to get our bread rolls for breakfast. One day, I decided to be independent and go on my own to get the bread rolls. I tried ordering in Italian, which I had been hearing for the past few days. I managed to get my five rolls, but the shopkeeper burst out laughing, which confused me. It was only when my parents went to the shop the next time and heard the story that they explained to me that I had mistakenly asked for "cinque bambini" (5 children) instead of "cinque panini" (5 bread rolls).

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  My company in Germany sent me to Paris to manage an IT project for 18 months. It was necessary for me to become fluent in French quickly. I read a French newspaper every morning on my commute, even if I didn't understand most of it. I listened to French radio or watched French television exclusively, and I had limited contact with friends and family during this time. I made friends with colleagues who were patient enough to communicate with me. After about six months in Paris, my French improved significantly, and I ultimately stayed in France for another 25 years.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I have a broad and in-depth knowledge of German and French language and their culture, as I lived in both countries for about 25 years and go back regularly.
  
  I served as a French and German Adjunct Professor at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory NC.
  
  I am a dedicated tutor who fosters emotional connections with students to stimulate and motivate them.
  
  I do my best to make my classes interesting while educating with engaging activities.
  
  I encourage students' self-awareness because if they want to know more about the topic, the language study will not be limited to the classroom if they find an interest in continuing to learn independently.
  
  I consciously listen to my students to get to know them better during orientation and lessons. I set new objectives, choose appropriate materials, plan my classes, and create dynamics when needed.
  
  I know how to use the resources we have on hand today. A wide range of teaching resources makes language teaching and learning a much richer and more entertaining world.